PHILIPSBURG—Alvin Andre earned his Body Building Pro Card in 2011 at the Central American and Caribbean Championship in El Salvador. While he wanted to compete with the new card at the pro level, he had work to do.
“I was building my house,” said Andre. “I didn’t have time to compete.” Now the house is nearly done and Andre wants to head back to the stage.
He will be going to Chicago to compete in the IFBB Wings of Strength Chicago Pro Show June 29 to July 1.
At age 40, Andre does not know how many shows he has left so he is giving Chicago his all. “Bodybuilding is expensive and sponsors are hard to find,” says Andre. “I don’t know what I’ll do after Chicago yet.”
At 5-foot-11 and 260 pounds Andre will compete in the Open Class.
Andre says growing up he was not much of a sports person. “I tried volleyball and basketball. They just weren’t for me.” He attended high school, in St. Peters. Above the school was a gym. “I walked up their one day and tried lifting.”
He liked it and so began his career as a bodybuilder. Bodybuilding is not an easy sport to get into or to excel in. “You need help,” said Andre. “I was fortunate Peterson Charles took me under his wing and taught me. He mentored me and help guild me.”
Monday, Andre stopped by St. Maarten Little League Player Development to talk with youngsters about hard work.
Player development is an after school program that has the children to do reading, writing and math before they play sports.
“You can do anything you want,” he told the children ranging in age from six to 12. “But you have to work hard to reach your goal.”
He went on to talk about discipline, respecting God, parents and teachers. He repeated the need for hard work and told the group to believe in themselves.
The children were mesmerized by the large man.
“Who wants to touch my muscles?’ asked Andre. Up jumped several of the children. One proclaimed the bicep to be hard as a rock.
“I got abs,” said a six year old pulling off his shirt.
Andre chuckled and good naturedly lifted his shirt. He told the children to respect god and their parents. To work hard and do good in school.
The six year old not to be out done dropped to the ground and announced he could do push ups. He did three.
Again Andre chuckled, I and going to give you a treat.
The giant pulled off his shirt and started flexing and posing.
One of the boys finally caught his breath and meekly asked if Mr. Andre could show them some exercises. He said sure but time was up. He promised to visit the children again after his show in Chicago. The children shook the giant hand. Thanked him and wished him luck in Chicago.
